Michigan Ave

1918 Birth Certificate

My cousin Laura asked about a recent post; Where was our grand/greatgrand mother, Grace Whitfield Herrick,  living at the time of her fathers death in 1919?  Well, at the time my best guess was plain ole Illinois, which was based off of census reports for the family.  But, now I have a solid answer for Laura......

I just located the birth certificate for Grace Francis Herrick, first born of Grace and George Herrick.  The address listed for Grace Whitfield Herrick was 6732 Michigan Ave, the same as her father, Frank Whitfield at death.  So, Grace Whitfield Herrick was living with her parents at the time of death or shortly before.

Now that I got you attention, a few things to note from the certificate.  George was not at home at the time of Grace Herricks birth.  He was at  Fisk University, Nashville Tennessee.  He is a Lieutenant, which I am guessing was while he was in the Army.  However, none of his military records that reflects a duty station in Tennessee.  Also, note that his birth place is reported as Port Arthur Washington.  For whatever the reason, he listed a few different places of birth in Washington, but we know he was born in Illinois, and more than likely his mother's birth place of Freeport.  In the 1900 US Census, its reported that George was 8 and born in Illinois.  George's middle name was Francis, like his dad, not Frank.  But, I can see why one would say Frank instead. 

I am only guess here, but I bet these are photo's of the 6732 Michigan Ave houses backyard;  Backyard, Hanging on for dear life, and Give Daddy a kiss.  Now, as I reread these post and consider what I just learned on the Grace's birth certificate,  the Kiss for Daddy is because daddy (George) is away with the Army.

Please see my other post about George Herrick and Frank Whitfield.  And by all means consider following this blog by clicking JOIN THIS SITE to the right and please do leave a comment.

What's in a name?

Another name puzzle has shown up in an ancestral document.  Is it Whitfield or Whitefield?  From the time I started search family history my grandmother surname was known to me as Whitfield.  which includes all the records I have discovered; marriage certificates, census report, etc....,  Now, a question pops up on this recently discovered document for Frank E. Whitfield.  First, notice that the document didn't record a full name, but the state of Illinois has this document recorded against Frank.  Also, the date of death, first name of the parents, the physical address and the first name and middle initial of his wife are all correct.  The question is the recorded last name of Whitefield! So, is it Whitfield or Whitefield?  I am sure it is Whitfield and this is just a record error by Registrar!  I have seen many errors such as this, so it really doesn't surprise me at all.  But, it may explain why I haven't been able to find anything concrete for Elisie Minnie Grothmann Whitfield after 1919.  Oh by the way, Elise's last name was record on the marriage certificate as Grotman, where it should have been Grothmann.  Errors are very common!

Suburbanite Economist Notice

Who is Frank E Whitfield?  He is my great grandfather on my mother side.  You can see more about Frank at his Ancestry.com page;  Frank Whitfield  .  The notice to the right can be found at
the Ancestry.com page for the newspaper Suburbanite Economist, Englewood Times.

This is an update to Frank's blog record as his resting place has been found in the Oak Wood Cemetery, Chicago Illinois lying next for Frank is Elsie's second husband, Orrin P Talley.  Frank Whitfield lived an died in Illinois.  His parent's John and Elizabeth are from England and are still a mystery at this point.

Please find in this blog other posts of the Whitfield family.

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Backyard

The third photo in the series of aunt Grace in 1919 Chicago.  However, this one included my grandmother Grace.  Again I will let the photo and the handwritten note on the backside tell the story.

Hanging on for dear life!

Another is the series of Grace in 1919 Chicago.  The photo and the written note on the backside tells the whole story, so I am not adding anymore than I already have.

Give Daddy a Kiss!

I've been digging old photos all winter long and with the onset of springtime winter storm, I am digging some more today!    Some of the photos I filtered through are over a hundred years in age and many others are approaching the century make.  I have been scanning and sharing them with the family, well those that want to see these old relics.  It's always a joy to come across life caught on film, this photo is of my aunt Grace blowing a kiss to her father Geo.  The photo was dated 1919 and at this time the family was living in Chicago.